An Accident in the Workplace: The Next Steps

It is the responsibility and obligation of your employer to provide a safe working environment for you, but when there’s an accident in the workplace, what should you do?

Unfortunately, accidents and injuries occur frequently in the workplace where the employer is at fault. In these situations, it is important and worthwhile that you make a personal injury claim so that you can receive compensation and your employer is held to account.

There are, of course, industries which are more dangerous than others, but even an office-based role can be dangerous with many accidents happening each year which can result in life-changing injuries.

If you have suffered an injury in the workplace, these are the next steps that you need to take.

Steps to take when there has been an accident in the workplace

Check For Injuries

Obviously, the very first thing to do is to check for injuries and get medical attention if you need it. If there was anyone else involved, perhaps a fellow employee, you should also check them for injuries and make sure that the area is safe. Call the emergency services if required. Even if you do not have a serious injury, it is important to see a healthcare professional to obtain medical details.

Inform Your Employer

You should then inform your employer as soon as possible and make sure that the event is logged in an accident book. Make sure that you provide as much information as you can, including the time and date, the cause of the accident, injuries sustained and any witnesses. You should also notify the Health & Safety Executive of the accident.

Gather Details

You should then gather details of the accident. The evidence could include photographs of the scene and aftermath and photos of any injuries sustained. You could also draw a diagram of what happened and obtain reports from any witnesses.

Taking Leave

If the accident has led to an injury that makes it hard or impossible to do your job, you will need to take time off work which could make you entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). If the injury is severe and life-changing, you may also be entitled to benefits.

Seeking Help

You will then want to contact a personal injury specialist like The Compensation Experts. They will listen to your account of what happened and determine whether or not you can make a claim.

If you can make a claim, they will provide you with a solicitor who specialises in workplace accidents who will start to build your case. They will do all of the negotiating on your behalf and work to get you the best possible compensation.

The amount that you are entitled to will, of course, depend on the severity of your injury, the amount of money that you may have lost as a result of the injury and whether or not you will miss out on future earnings or if the accident will interfere with your quality of life.

If there has been an accident at your place of work that has left you injured, then it is important that you take steps to receive compensation.

In addition to providing you with financial security for the future, it is also important to take a stand so that your employer is held accountable and will take steps to stop a future accident in the workplace from occurring.